Filmmaker Shyam Bengegal Passes Away At 90
Shyam Benegal, who was instrumental in shaping Indian parallel cinema, directed critically acclaimed films, including Bhumika, Junoon and Mandi, known for their realistic narratives.
Filmmaker Shyam Benegal passed away on Monday at the age of 90, reported NDTV. He was known for directing films like Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, Junoon, Bhumika and Mandi.
According to media reports, he passed away at the Wockhardt hospital in Mumbai after suffering from a kidney ailment for a while. The veteran had celebrated his birthday 10 days ago in Mumbai with his close friends and family.
"He passed away at 6.38 p.m. at Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai Central. He had been suffering from chronic kidney disease for several years but it had gotten very bad. That's the reason for his death," his daughter, Pia Bengegal, told PTI.
Benegal is survived by his wife Nira Benegal and daughter.
The filmmaker was a pioneer of the Indian parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s, creating a body of work known for his realistic storytelling and profound social commentary.
Shyam debuted his five-decade career in 1974 with Ankur. Following which he gave films like Nishant, Manthan and Bhumika that solidified his reputation as a masterful director. After making several other critically acclaimed films, his last release was Mujib: The Making of a Nation, which was released in 2024.
His films were often known for their realism and social commentary and for breaking away from the conventions of mainstream Indian cinema.
Shyam Benegal is regarded as the pioneer of parallel cinema and has received several accolades, like the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, 18 National Film Awards and a Nandi award. In 1976, he was also honoured by the Indian government with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour of the country. He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honour, for his contribution in the field of arts.
In his prolific career, Benegal made films on diverse issues, documentaries and television serials, including Bharat Ek Khoj and Samvidhaan.
Condolences poured in from across the country as the nation mourned the filmmaker's passing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan were among those who expressed their heartfelt tributes. MP for Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor also remembered the filmmaker.
Other actors like Akshay Kumar, Manoj Bajpayee, and Randeep Hooda, as well as filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, have also paid tribute to the veteran filmmaker. Priti Adani, chairperson, Adani Foundation, also offered her condolences.
